Recent Newshttps://www.ecok.edu/news/2012_news/february_2012/professors_judge_microbiology.htm
enECU STUDENT GAVIN BURL DOES INTERNSHIP WITH OBAMA FOUNDATIONhttps://www.ecok.edu/article/ecu-student-gavin-burl-does-internship-obama-foundation
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-portrait-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-portrait/public/Gavin%20Burl%20with%20MLK%20Jr.%20Bust.jpeg?itok=384YP72u" width="400" height="500" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-image-caption field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">East Central University student Gavin Burl poses next the bust of Martin Luther King, Jr. in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington D.C. Burl, along with other members of Pi Sigma Alpha, traveled to D.C. for the organization’s national conference. Burl was also able to do a brief internship with the Obama Foundation and sit in on a Supreme Court case.</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Gavin Burl has come a long way since being displaced from New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 to becoming the president of East Central University’s Student Government.</p>
<p>As a member of Pi Sigma Alpha, a political science academic honor society, the senior from Sachse, Texas recently traveled with 12 other ECU students and three faculty members to Washington D.C. to not only attend the Pi Sigma Alpha National Conference, but to do a special internship with the President Barack Obama Foundation. To boot, he along with fellow ECU student Anna Wood were the only two students able to go to the U.S. Supreme Court to observe oral arguments on “clerical issues on sentencing.”</p>
<p>Taking part as a short-term intern with the Obama Foundation was described as a surreal experience by Burl.</p>
<p>“I remember in the seventh grade and watching the Obama Inauguration. I was probably 11 or 12 years old,” said Burl. “For someone like me, it made it an impression. I knew this (public service) is what I wanted to do.”</p>
<p>While at the Obama Foundation, members visited with Burl about leadership skills and how they have been handling Obama’s post-presidential projects, involving philanthropy and community programs.</p>
<p>“They were interested to know me and my future plans, about ECU and my story and how I grew up,” Burl said. “First, I talked about Hurricane Katrina and how I was displaced from New Orleans, then I got to explain how East Central has impacted my life and how I became a leader.”</p>
<p>In addition to his Supreme Court visit, he and the other ECU students visited and spoke with U.S. Congressman Tom Cole, who represents the Fourth District of Oklahoma.</p>
<p>Burl, who played football at ECU as a freshman and sophomore, saw his playing days cut short due to injury. He says the university has shaped his desire to strive for more.</p>
<p>“I learned to never give up and I was pushed to be open to more opportunities,” said Burl. “Dr. (Christine) Pappas told me to stick it out and get some leadership opportunities.”</p>
<p>In which he promptly did. As a junior, he served as vice president of both the Student Government and Pi Sigma Alpha.</p>
<p>“It has helped me understand my impact as a student,” Burl said. “As for problem-solving skills, ECU has heavily contributed to that.”</p>
<p>Burl remembers well his evacuation from the “Big Easy” to the Dallas-Fort Worth area as an 8 or 9-year old with his mother (Tanjala) and father (Earl) along with his older brother Earl III and younger brother Chase.</p>
<p>“We were evacuating in an SUV. There was a lot of traffic,” said Burl. “What usually took a 7 1/2 -8-hour drive, turned out to be about a 14-hour trip. There was a lot of traffic going west toward Dallas. We stayed in a hotel three months and I remember my parents watching CNN to know the situation in New Orleans. We took clothes and some toys, including my Batman action figure, anything we could fit in the SUV.”</p>
<p>Burl says he felt like his life was on reset once he and his family settled in the Dallas suburb of Rowlett, Texas. Burl says his father Earl makes frequent trips back to New Orleans and has relatives who stayed there through the storm and after.</p>
<p><strong>NOTE:</strong> Burl learned recently that he has been admitted to the University of Tulsa College of Law and will begin his journey toward a law degree this fall.</p>
<p> </p>
<p align="center"><strong>-ECU-</strong></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-immediate-release field-type-text-long field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">For Immediate Release:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p style="margin-left:1.0in;">Contact: Brian Johnson or Amy Ford</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> East Central University Communications and Marketing</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> 580-559-5650 or 405-812-1428 (cell)</p>
</div></div></div>Fri, 16 Mar 2018 14:44:04 +0000bjohnson15433 at https://www.ecok.eduANNUAL SCISSORTAIL CREATIVE WRITING FESTIVAL SET FOR APRIL 5-7 AT ECUhttps://www.ecok.edu/article/annual-scissortail-creative-writing-festival-set-april-5-7-ecu
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-portrait-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-portrait/public/Jeanetta%20Calhoun%20Mish%20Photo.jpg?itok=XhyC9V85" width="400" height="387" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-image-caption field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Jeanetta Calhoun Mish</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Accomplished poets Jeanetta Calhoun Mish and George Bilgere headline a lengthy list of outstanding writers as East Central University conducts the Annual Scissortail Creative Writing Festival, April 5-7, on the ECU campus.</p>
<p>Mish and Bilgere are two of 58 writers who will be making presentations at the three-day event.</p>
<p>For more information on the Scissortail Creative Writing Festival or questions about group attendance, contact Dr. Ken Hada at 580-559-5557 or at <a href="mailto:KHada@ecok.edu">KHada@ecok.edu</a>.</p>
<p>Here are bios on the two featured speakers:</p>
<p><strong>JEANETTA CALHOUN MISH</strong></p>
<p>Mish, 2017-18 Oklahoma State Poet Laureate, has authored several books, most recently <em>What I Learned at the War</em>, a poetry collection (West End Press, 2016) and <em>Oklahomeland: Essays</em> (Lamar University Press, 2015). Her 2009 poetry collection, <em>Work Is Love Made Visible</em> (West End Press) won an Oklahoma Book Award, a Wrangler Award and the WILLA Award from Women Writing in the West.</p>
<p>She has published poetry in <em>This Land, Naugatuck River Review, Concho River Review, LABOR: Studies in Working Class History of the Americas, World Literature Today, San Pedro River Review, About Place Journal, The Fiddleback </em>and<em> Yellow Medicine Journal</em>, among others.</p>
<p>Essays and short fiction have appeared in <em>Oklahoma Today, Sugar Mule, Crosstimbers, Red Dirt Chronicles, Cybersoleil </em>and <em>The Emily Dickinson Society International Bulletin</em>’s essay series, “Poet to Poet.”</p>
<p>Mish’s anthology publications include poems in <em>Returning the Gift</em> and the <em>Colour of Resistance </em>as well as the introductory essay for <em>Ain’t Nobody That Can Sing Like Me: New Oklahoma Writing.</em></p>
<p>She is editor of Mongrel Empire Press which was recognized as 2012 Publisher of the Year by the Woodcraft Circle of Native Writers and Storytellers.</p>
<p>Mish also serves as contributing editor for <em>World Literature Today</em>, <em>Oklahoma Today</em> and <em>Sugar Mule: A Literary Journal</em>. She is also editor of Mongrel Empire Press while also serving on the board of OKC LitFest and Returning the Gift Indigenous Writers Festival.</p>
<p>She is director of the Red Earth Creative Writing MFA at Oklahoma City University where she also serves as advisor to Red Earth Review and as faculty mentor in writing, pedagogy, professional writing and the craft of poetry.</p>
<p><strong>GEORGE BILGERE</strong></p>
<p>Bilgere, a resident of Cleveland, Ohio, has published seven collections of poetry, including most recently, <em>Blood Pages</em> (University of Pittsburgh Press, 2018). Others include: <em>Imperial</em> (2014); <em>The White Museum</em> (2010), which was awarded the Autumn House Poetry Prize; <em>Haywire</em> (2006), which earned a May Swenson Poetry Award and the <em>Good Kiss</em> (2002), which was selected by Billy Collins to win the University of Akron Poetry Award.</p>
<p>He has won numerous awards, including the Midland Authors Award and a Pushcart Prize. Bilgere has received grants from the Witter Bynner Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, Fullbright Commission and Ohio Arts Council.</p>
<p>Bilgere’s poetry, residing firmly in the everyday world of janitors, college students or siblings, is noted for its controlled poignancy and limpid free-verse line. Collins described him as “a welcome breath of fresh American air.” His poems have appeared in numerous anthologies and journals including <em>Poetry, Ploughshares, The Kenyon Review, Fulcrum</em> and the Best American Poetry series.</p>
<p>He teaches creative writing at John Carroll University. Bilgere grew up in Riverside, California and earned his B.A. at the University of California-Riverside. He received his M.A. in English literature from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri and earned a Ph.D. in contemporary British and American poetry from the University of Denver in 1988.</p>
<p>He has received grants in poetry from the National Endowment for the Arts and from the Ohio Arts Council. In 1991, Bilgere was a Fullbright Scholar in Bilbao, Spain. In 2002, he was named a Witter Bynner Fellow through the Library of Congress by U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins, who called Bilgere’s work “a welcome breath of fresh, American air in the house of contemporary poetry.”</p>
<p align="center"><strong>-ECU-</strong></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-immediate-release field-type-text-long field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">For Immediate Release:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> Contact: Brian Johnson or Amy Ford</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> East Central University Communications and Marketing</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> 580-559-5650 or 405-812-1428 (cell)</p>
</div></div></div>Thu, 15 Mar 2018 18:04:32 +0000bjohnson15428 at https://www.ecok.eduECU CLOSED FOR SPRING BREAK, MARCH 19-23https://www.ecok.edu/article/ecu-closed-spring-break-march-19-23
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>The East Central University campus and offices will be closed for Spring Break, March 19-23. The campus will reopen on Monday, March 26 for normal operational hours. ECU’s Linscheid Library will be closed March 17-24 and reopen on Sunday, March 25, from 4 p.m.-8 p.m. The Tommy Hewett M.D. Wellness Center will close on Friday, March 16 at 8 p.m. and not reopen again until Monday, March 26, at 6 a.m.</p>
<p align="center"><strong>-ECU-</strong></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-immediate-release field-type-text-long field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">For Immediate Release:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> Contact: Brian Johnson or Amy Ford</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> East Central University Communications and Marketing</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> 580-559-5650 or 405-812-1428 (cell)</p>
</div></div></div>Thu, 15 Mar 2018 17:17:47 +0000bjohnson15424 at https://www.ecok.eduECU’S DR. MARA SUKHOLUTSKAYA RECIPIENT OF AATSEEL AWARDhttps://www.ecok.edu/article/ecu-s-dr-mara-sukholutskaya-recipient-aatseel-award
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-portrait-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-portrait/public/Dr.%20Mara%20Award%2C%20Feb.%202018.jpg?itok=yrHsDgDN" width="400" height="457" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-image-caption field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Dr. Mara Sukholutskaya poses with her AATSEEL Award for Excellence in Post-Secondary Teaching.</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>East Central University’s Dr. Mara Sukholutskaya was recently the recipient of the prestigious national level American Association of Teachers of Slavic and East European Languages (AATSEEL) Award for Excellence in Post-Secondary Teaching.</p>
<p>Sukholutskaya, director of Russian Studies and ECU’s Global Education program, received the award at the Annual AATSEEL Conference in Washington D.C. She has been a member of that group of over 1,000 members since 2001.</p>
<p>“It’s a great honor to be recognized by that distinguished group,” said Sukholutskaya. “There are more than a 1,000 professionals that teach Russian and other Slavic languages in the United States. Each day, those individuals enter their classroom across the country to open a fascinating world of the Russian language and culture to their students.”</p>
<p>Sukholutskaya is president of the Oklahoma Council of Teachers of Russian (OCTR) and American Council of Teachers of Russian (ACTR), along with being a board member and founder of the Central Association of Russian Teachers of America (CARTA).</p>
<p>Excerpts from the citation read during the presentation include:</p>
<p>*She has affected the lives of myriad students as a foreign language education. Moreover, she has enriched the reputation of the institution immeasurable through her scholarship, through her efforts at raising critical awareness of the value of language study and through her tireless commitment to the creation of enriching cultural opportunities for the university and the surrounding community.</p>
<p>*Dr. Sukholutskaya artfully combines traditional “skill’ lessons (e.g., vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar) in engaging and perfectly timed united. She employs games and other kinetic activities to foster heightened levels of student engagement and thereby increased levels of student learning. She seamlessly integrates cultural lessons with her language instruction, building not only linguistic proficiency, but also cultural appreciation.</p>
<p>*Dr. Sukholutskaya teaches not simply a foreign language, but also in the methods and manners of life. She never ceases in her efforts as a teacher of foreign language. She does not stop working when students cross the threshold of the classroom. She teaches them inside the classroom and out, in the halls and one the quad, during their careers at ECU and for years beyond.</p>
<p align="center"><strong>-ECU-</strong></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-immediate-release field-type-text-long field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">For Immediate Release:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p style="margin-left:1.0in;">Contact: Brian Johnson or Amy Ford</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> East Central University Communications and Marketing</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> 580-559-5650 or 405-812-1428 (cell)</p>
</div></div></div>Mon, 12 Mar 2018 18:59:33 +0000bjohnson15411 at https://www.ecok.eduECU TO CONDUCT LAW DAY EVENT ON THURSDAY, MARCH 15https://www.ecok.edu/article/ecu-conduct-law-day-event-thursday-march-15
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>East Central University will conduct is annual Law Day celebration on Thursday, March 15, beginning at 11 a.m. in ECU Foundation Hall of the Chickasaw Business and Conference Center.</p>
<p>The event, free and open to the public, will feature two speakers – Justice Noma Gurich of the Oklahoma Supreme Court and Chickasaw Nation District Judge and ECU alumnus Dustin Rowe - sandwiched around a networking lunch.</p>
<p>Gurich will speak at 11 a.m.</p>
<p>“She is thoughtful, talented and lots of fun to listen to,” said Preston Draper, assistant professor of Political Science and Legal Studies at ECU. “She also has been a great friend to ECU’s students, participating in at least four visits by students to the Oklahoma Judicial Center in the last two years.”</p>
<p>Following Gurich’s keynote address, the networking lunch will take place as students, speakers, local attorneys and judges, along with ECU faculty and administrators will have a chance to mingle and visit over lunch.</p>
<p>At 1 p.m., Rowe will be speaking about issues involving native Americans and their interactions with federal, state and tribal courts.</p>
<p>“He is a very talented and engaging speaker and should provide a great session,” Draper said.</p>
<p>Though the event is free, those who are eating lunch are urged to RSVP by 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 13, in order to get a head count. To RSVP or get more information, contact Draper at 580-559-5834 or <a href="mailto:pdraper@ecok.edu">pdraper@ecok.edu</a>.</p>
<p align="center"><strong>-ECU-</strong></p>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-immediate-release field-type-text-long field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">For Immediate Release:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> Contact: Brian Johnson or Amy Ford</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> East Central University Communications and Marketing</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> 580-559-5650 or 405-812-1428 (cell)</p>
</div></div></div>Mon, 12 Mar 2018 13:24:07 +0000bjohnson15408 at https://www.ecok.eduECU ALUMNA SARAH JONES RECEIVES UNDER 30 MEDIA RELATIONS AWARDhttps://www.ecok.edu/article/ecu-alumna-sarah-jones-receives-under-30-media-relations-award
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-portrait-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-portrait/public/Sarah%20Jones%20with%20NextGen%20Award.jpg?itok=z05ACgWR" width="400" height="642" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-image-caption field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Sarah Jones</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>An East Central University education can lead you down a different, but successful path.</p>
<p>Just ask Sarah Jones, who is now social media creative producer with the Chickasaw Nation. Jones, a 2015 ECU graduate, recently took home a Nextgen Under 30 Media/Public Relations Award from a statewide event which honors those, under the age of 30, who are already making an impact in their young careers by demonstrating talent, drive and service to their communities.</p>
<p>The Ada resident and Byng High School graduate attended ECU with aspirations of being a journalist, but was swayed a slightly different direction, thanks to the influence of the late Samantha Dillehay, an ECU filmography professor.</p>
<p>“I took some of her video classes. She was obviously a big part of ECU and my (educational) experience,” said Jones. “I got a lot of experience as an event photographer and on the yearbook working with Amy Ford (in ECU’s Communications and Marketing Department). It was a good experience and she gave me constructive feedback.”</p>
<p>As social media creative producer, Jones creates a lot of content for the Chickasaw Nation’s media platform.</p>
<p>“Sometimes its videos and sometimes its graphics,” Jones said. “Right now I’m working on Women’s History Month and trying to come up with different concepts. There are two different films we are heavily promoting right now – <em>Te Ata</em> and <em>Chickasaw Rancher</em>, which was actually shot in the summer.”</p>
<p>According to Jones, she was nominated for the award by Gentry Fisher, of <em>The Chickasaw Press. </em>Fisher received an award for The Arts from that same group the previous year. Jones also filled out a form and sent in a resumē during the nomination process.</p>
<p>“It’s an honor to be nominated by the people I have worked with and those who have received it before,” said Jones. “It’s kept confirmation that you’re doing a good job.”</p>
<p>Students can pursue exciting concentrations in advertising and public relations or mass media at ECU. Mass communication majors have access to Mac labs, TV and audio studios, professional quality equipment, student organizations and instructors with both academic and real-world experience.</p>
<p>Graduates with mass communication degrees have the skills employers need in an information-sensitive society. Among the careers which can be obtained with a mass communication degree are: editor, communication director, producer, station programmer, journalist, public relations officer, newscaster, advertising director, photographer, media buyer, speech writer, entertainment agent and much more.</p>
<p>ECU mass communication students have access to numerous professional and social activities that introduce them to industry leaders throughout the state. Many of these activities lead to internships and jobs. Among these activities are: Audio Visual Club, Club PRAD, Picturesque Photography Club and Paper Lantern Lounge.</p>
<p align="center"><strong>-ECU-</strong></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-immediate-release field-type-text-long field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">For Immediate Release:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p style="margin-left: 1in;">Contact: Brian Johnson or Amy Ford</p>
<p style="margin-left: 1in;"> East Central University Communications and Marketing</p>
<p style="margin-left: 1in;"> 580-559-5650 or 405-812-1428 (cell)</p>
</div></div></div>Wed, 28 Feb 2018 17:45:24 +0000bjohnson15390 at https://www.ecok.eduECU TO PRESENT PUNCH AND PIE 3 JAZZ BAND CONCERT ON SUNDAY, MARCH 4https://www.ecok.edu/article/ecu-present-punch-and-pie-3-jazz-band-concert-sunday-march-4
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-portrait-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-portrait/public/ECU-Punch%20and%20Pie%203%20-%202018%20-%20cmyk.jpg?itok=Z_t1Zg-J" width="400" height="618" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>East Central University will present the Punch and Pie 3 Jazz Band Concert on Sunday, March 4, at 3 p.m. in the Ataloa Theatre of the Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center.</p>
<p>The free concert will not only feature the ECU Jazz Ensemble, but also the Konawa High School and Ada High School Jazz Ensembles.</p>
<p>The Konawa High School Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Ashley Kellis, will be presenting <em>Mercy, Mercy, Mercy</em> (by Joe Zawinul/arranged by Chris Bragg), <em>Summertime </em>(by George Gershwin/arranged by Bragg), <em>Autumn Leaves</em> (by Joseph Kosma/arranged by Bragg).</p>
<p>The Ada High School Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Richard Howard, will present <em>A Nasty Bit of the Blues</em> (by Doug Beach), <em>Another Story</em> (by Mike Tomaro) and <em>Act Your Age</em> (By Gordon Goodwin/arranged by Blair).</p>
<p>The ECU Jazz Ensemble will be presenting <em>Sweet Georgia Upside Down</em> (by Phil Kelly), <em>Teddy the Toad</em> (by Neal Hefti), <em>La Fiesta</em> (by Chick Corea/arranged by Tony Klatka) and <em>Watermelon Man</em> (by Herbie Hancock/arranged by Bob Lowdon).</p>
<p>Members of the ECU Jazz Ensemble on the saxophone include: Dillyn Stephens, of Moore (Southmoore High School); Abigail Hardage, of Washington, Oklahoma; Anthony Smith, Moore (Southmoore High School); Shelby Hubbard, Foyil; T.K. Garrett, Moore and Colton Groover, Oklahoma City (Putnam City High School).</p>
<p>Those on the trumpets include: McKean Akin, Durant; Garrett Crook, Moore (Westmoore); Lance Reisetter, Ardmore; Emily Selman, Washington, Oklahoma; Bragg, of Sulphur; Emma Williams, Glenpool and Blake Pringle, Moore (Southmoore High School).</p>
<p>Cooper Wingo, of Ada, will play the guitar.</p>
<p>On the trombone are: Corey Burton, of Beggs; Kellan Brown, Sulphur; Daniel Freeman, Tecumseh; Cole Kugler, Noble and Caleb Dawes, Cushing.</p>
<p>Playing the drums/percussion are Destin Rhyne, of Dickson; Ethan Linfoot, Sapulpa and Woody Clark, Dickson.</p>
<p>Garrett Workman, of Bridge Creek, will play the bass and Rozzie Purdy, Ada and ECU faculty, will play the piano.</p>
<p>The Konawa High School Ensemble includes Caleb Hughes (alto) and Syleekta Hawkins (baritone) on the saxophones; Austin Walker, Kalei Blanton and Corey Brantley on the trumpets; Cale Eberle and Philip Rogers on the percussions; Joshua Seal and Tsegaye Smith on the trombones; Clayton Shaw on the guitar; Ian Merchant on the bass and Colton Stinnett on the piano and percussion.</p>
<p>The Ada High School Ensemble will feature Mitchell Galbreaith, Ethan Goodwin, Gage McQuiston and Will Pottebaum on the saxophones; Chris Allen, Jonathan Cloar, Eric Crowell, Kohner Gallagher and Kayin Robinson on the trombones and Tyler Bailey, George Benefield, Kara Keith, Morgan Manning and Tristan Pence on the trumpets. Providing rhythm are: Maddie Manning (piano), Arren Pardue (guitar), Caleb Manning (bass) and Jacob Williams (drums).</p>
<p align="center"><strong>-ECU-</strong></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-immediate-release field-type-text-long field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">For Immediate Release:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p style="margin-left:1.0in;">Contact: Brian Johnson or Amy Ford</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> East Central University Communications and Marketing</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> 580-559-5650 or 405-812-1428 (cell)</p>
</div></div></div>Tue, 27 Feb 2018 19:20:44 +0000bjohnson15389 at https://www.ecok.eduSON OF IMMIGRANTS, FIRST-GENERATION ECU STUDENT RECEIVES NIGH PUBLIC SERVICE SCHOLARSHIPhttps://www.ecok.edu/article/son-immigrants-first-generation-ecu-student-receives-nigh-public-service-scholarship
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-portrait-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-portrait/public/Alexis%20Benitez%20-%20Nigh%20Service%20Scholarship%20Award.jpg?itok=mmUdZdlR" width="400" height="314" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-image-caption field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">ECU student Alexis Benitez (center) poses with ECU President Katricia Pierson and Gavin Burl, president of the ECU Student Government, after Benitez was recently named the winner of the George and Donna Nigh Public Service Scholarship.</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>As a son of immigrant parents, East Central University sophomore student Alexis Benitez, called Alex for short, is highly motivated to attend law school.</p>
<p>A first-generation student and the first in his immediate family to attend college, Benitez is pursuing a degree in political science and legal studies and was recently named the winner of the 2018 George and Donna Nigh Public Service Scholarship, an award presented to college students who are preparing for careers in public service.</p>
<p>“It’s a huge honor…probably the biggest honor I have ever received,” said Benitez. “It’s been a long process to get where I’m at. My parents (Zenaido and Yvett-Nancy Benitez) weren’t able to go to college. They didn’t have the opportunity, but I do.”</p>
<p>Zanaido immigrated from Mexico to the United States in 1977 at the age of 17 and Yvett-Nancy came to the U.S. in 1992 at the age of 18.</p>
<p>“When they came as immigrants, all they had were the clothes on their back,” Alex said. “It’s been a huge motivation for me and they have always supported me and encouraged me.”</p>
<p>Alex admitted that he was pessimistic, at first, about going to college, but his counselor at Healdton High School, Mrs. (Angie) Munholland, encouraged and guided him on a path which has led to the pursuit of a higher education degree.</p>
<p>He attended Murray State College in Tishomingo to secure some basic credits and is now at ECU with aspirations of completing his bachelor’s degree and then ultimately studying immigration law.</p>
<p>Alex describes his ECU experience as life-changing.</p>
<p>“ECU has changed my life. It’s been great and has had a great impact on what I am and what I will be,” said Alex. “I wouldn’t know what my life would be like if I didn’t attend here.”</p>
<p>He is the youngest of four siblings. He has an older brother and two older sisters.</p>
<p>Alex was nominated for the award by Gavin Burl, president of the ECU Student Council.</p>
<p>The $1,000 George and Donna Nigh Public Service Scholarship was established by the 1999 Oklahoma Legislature to provide scholarship opportunities to outstanding students who are preparing for careers in public service. A component of the scholarship program is participation in seminars on public service offered by the Nigh Institute.</p>
<p>Benitez represents ECU in the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature and has served as a delegation vice chair and is in the senate. He is also a member of ECU’s Speech and Debate Team and is a part of ECU’s Young Democrats.</p>
<p>His honors and awards include the ECU Dean’s Honor Roll for the spring and fall semesters of 2017 and Murray State College President’s Honor Roll in the fall of 2016, along with being the recipient of the Francisco-Hatchet Scholarship and the Greater Ardmore Scholarship.</p>
<p><strong>NOTE:</strong> ECU’s Department of Political Science and Legal Studies has faculty that is devoted to providing educational experiences that will prepare students for life in the real world. The faculty’s goal is for as many students as possible to participate in active learning, such as simulations, internships, networking and service learning. Many students in the program present their original research in off-campus academic conferences such as Oklahoma Research Day and the Oklahoma Political Science Association Annual Meeting. To learn more or apply to ECU call 580-559-5628</p>
<p align="center"><strong>-ECU-</strong></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-immediate-release field-type-text-long field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">For Immediate Release:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p style="margin-left:1.0in;">Contact: Brian Johnson or Amy Ford</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> East Central University Communications and Marketing</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> 580-559-5650 or 405-812-1428 (cell)</p>
</div></div></div>Tue, 27 Feb 2018 15:39:46 +0000bjohnson15386 at https://www.ecok.eduECU SYMPHONIC BAND, WIND ENSEMBLE TO CONDUCT MIDWINTER CONCERT ON SUNDAY, FEB. 25https://www.ecok.edu/article/ecu-symphonic-band-wind-ensemble-conduct-midwinter-concert-sunday-feb-25
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-portrait-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-portrait/public/Symphonic%20Band%20Concert.jpg?itok=BytLcC-F" width="228" height="353" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>The East Central University Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble will conduct its Midwinter Concert this Sunday, Feb. 25, at 3 p.m. in the Ataloa Theatre of the Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center.</p>
<p>The 45-minute concert is free and open to the public. Dr. Allen Correll will serve as conductor and Kirk Palmer is the assistant conductor.</p>
<p>Pieces of music by the ECU Symphonic Band include: <em>First Suite in E-flat</em> (by Gustav Holst), <em>Fractures in Time </em>(by Michael Sweeney and conducted by Edward Sallee) and <em>Highlights from La La Land </em>(by Hurwitz/Brown).</p>
<p>The ECU Wind Ensemble will include: <em>Revelry</em> (by William Pitts), <em>Down a Country Lane</em> (by Copland/Patterson) and <em>Folk Dances</em> (by Dmitri Shostakovich, edited by H. Robert Reynolds).</p>
<p align="center"><strong>-ECU-</strong></p>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-immediate-release field-type-text-long field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">For Immediate Release:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> Contact: Brian Johnson or Amy Ford</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> East Central University Communications and Marketing</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> 580-559-5650 or 405-812-1428 (cell)</p>
</div></div></div>Fri, 23 Feb 2018 20:23:32 +0000bjohnson15377 at https://www.ecok.eduPIRATE SCHOOL! TO BE PRESENTED AT ECU ON MARCH 1https://www.ecok.edu/article/pirate-school-be-presented-ecu-march-1
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-portrait-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-portrait/public/Pirates%208.5x11.jpg?itok=x1zUZsFi" width="400" height="518" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>The madcap, swashbuckling, solo variety show <em>Pirate School!</em> will be presented by veteran New York physical comedian and actor David Engel on Thursday, March 1, at 7:30 p.m. at East Central University’s Ataloa Theatre of the Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center.</p>
<p>In its 24<sup>th</sup> season, <em>Pirate School!,</em> has delighted thousands of families with a mischievous blend of improvisational clown theatre and its signature brand of boisterous full-audience participation. It’s been known that parents marvel as their kids become “good pirates,” swaggering out of the theatre transformed by this heartwarming family show.</p>
<p>During <em>Pirate School!,</em> the bumbling pirate professor Billy Bones, played by Engel, teaches youngsters four and up the finer points of light-hearted mischief. The audience partakes in riotous, joyful competitions that rattle the rafters and zany lessons on how to stand, talk, sing and laugh like jaunty buccaneers.</p>
<p>The production features an original cartoon-like sound effect and musical score, eye-popping puppetry, eccentric props, adept magic, slapstick swordplay antics, a misbehaving cannon, a talking skull and the world’s only wearable pirate ship.</p>
<p>Advance tickets are available at $8 for adults and $5 for children, 12 and under. Tickets at the door are $10 for adults and $7 for children.</p>
<p>The event is being sponsored by the ECU Foundation, Inc., ECU Cultural Activities Committee, Oklahoma Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts and the Masonic Centennial Endowment for Cultural Enrichment. Corporate sponsors include: Communication Federal Credit Union, Papa John’s, Vision Bank, Score Broadcasting, <em>The Ada News</em>, Citizen’s Bank, LaQuinta Inns and Suites, Biggie’s Tanning and Laundry and Chicken Express.</p>
<p>To purchase tickets, contact the ECU Box Office at the Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center at <a href="mailto:boxoffice@ecok.edu">boxoffice@ecok.edu</a> or call 580-559-5751. Tickets may also be purchased online at ecok.edu/FineArts.</p>
<p align="center"><strong>-ECU</strong></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-immediate-release field-type-text-long field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">For Immediate Release:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p style="margin-left:1.0in;">Contact: Brian Johnson or Amy Ford</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> East Central University Communications and Marketing</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> 580-559-5650 or 405-812-1428 (cell)</p>
</div></div></div>Fri, 23 Feb 2018 13:10:10 +0000bjohnson15372 at https://www.ecok.edu